DETAILS

HOUSE Auchenflower House

LOCATION Auchenflower, Qld

DATE COMPLETED 2016

From the pitched roofs and brick fence piers of Queen Anne Federation era homes to the late-colonial M-roof cottages with picture-perfect picket fences, Brisbane is home to a variety of housing styles representing almost a century and a half of architectural design. Brissy’s inner suburbs are dotted with porch & gable cottages popularised during the interwar period of the 1920s-1930s and this Vokes and Peters project was built in the Roaring Twenties.

Set amid manicured lawns and significant trees, the home was surprisingly well preserved considering its vintage. “Our clients admired the original character of the Brisbane cottage and wished to reveal this reverence in the design of alterations and additions that would enlarge the house by the addition of a new bedroom, bathrooms, laundry and studio,” says architect Stuart Vokes.

Sadly, the vast majority of original Brisbane cottages have been damaged beyond repair due to major changes that include raising, underneath building and rear extensions. “We attempted to avoid these typical outcomes by locating and scaling a two-storey rear extension in a way that allowed the new works to find a comfortable place in the backyard while earning a rightful spot in the roofscape of the neighbourhood,” Stuart explains. “The form of the building is distinctly abstract yet familiar and attempts to adopt the sensibilities of the 1920’s cottage.”

Built for a busy and energetic family of five, the project saw a reorganisation and extension of the kitchen, walk-through larder, sitting room with fireplace alcove, laundry, bathrooms, master bedroom and elevated studio. Combining contemporary aspects with traditional elements of the suburban porch & gable, the classic white batten facade ensures the house blends with its environment.

With their clients overseas on a two-year secondment, Vokes and Peters were in the unique position of constructing a client’s dream home without their intimate weekly involvement, as they are accustomed to. The level of trust being placed in their hands was not taken lightly and the finished product is spectacular.

The project was unique in its approach; the architects eagerly reinvested in the notion of private open space and chose gardens over extra rooms. Recognising the value of residences that open to the street and have the capacity to contribute to a vibrant streetscape, Auchenflower House is a testament to the expertise of Vokes and Peters, and the longevity and charm of the humble porch & gable cottage.

Embracing the classic combination of white bungalow and verdant suburban garden setting, the project is sentimental without being daggy and dated. “We adopted a classic pre-war suburban backyard motif inspired by the battened stair which was commonly seen on the rear wall of an elevated Queenslander,” Stuart says. “This defended stair was once used to provide safe, discreet and partially weather-protected access between the elevated kitchen and the laundry under the house.”

Beautiful one day, perfect the next, the Brisbane climate allows the planning arrangement to provide safe, comfortable and well-ventilated rooms in the house all year round. It also means the outdoor (covered) wet areas — including laundry, bathhouse, shower, WC and hand basin — are popular ports of call.

“The super batten screen provides a backdrop to the sloping lawn, and a folly positions you up in the canopy of the mango tree,” says Stuart, noting that the folly’s enviable vantage point offers views of the city skyline.

Auchenflower House may be a humble suburban project, but it is part of a bigger picture, and a body of work by a firm that values the contributions small projects can make to the “streets, neighbourhoods, and the broader narrative of the city”.

PROJECT TEAM

Architect/interior designer Vokes and Peters, vokesandpeters.com

Structural engineer Westera Partners, westerapartners.com.au

Hydraulic engineer H Design, 07 3848 0333

Builder Bauen Projects, bauenprojects.com.au

FIXTURES & FITTINGS

Weatherboard cladding James Hardie, jameshardie.com.au

Roof sheeting BlueScope Lysaght, lysaght.com

Firebox Jetmaster, jetmaster.com.au

Kitchen handles, towel rails Madinoz, madinoz.com.au

Ensuite vanity basin Duravit, duravit.com

Bathtub Reece, reece.com.au

Tapware Brodware, brodware.com

Pendant light Spence and Lyda, spenceandlyda.com.au

Ceiling and wall lights JSB Lighting, LAD, jsblighting.com.au

The post Auchenflower: 2017 House of the Year appeared first on Completehome.

Details:

Location: Manly, New South Wales
Date commenced: May 2013
Date completed: August 2015
Cost: $610,000

Project Colour Palette: Red and charcoal grey give a Japanese feel to the bleached timber accents of this home. Federation green in the tiles of the bathroom are a nod to the history of the residence. Pistachio seating in the kitchen gives a contemporary feel

Upon first glance, this Manly, Sydney, abode is traditional and charming in style. But take a closer look, and you will begin to collect clues revealing its source of inspiration. Spot the scorched veggie planter boxes or perhaps the white pebbled driveway? Yes, this home’s aesthetic is very much Japanese in style, calling upon tradition to create a subtle nod to our eastern neighbours while retaining that unmistakable Australiana ambience.
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For homeowners Ian Kay and Sally Webb, it was time to update their kit home that hadn’t been touched since the 1980s. For a family of five, the dark and cramped spaces just weren’t cutting it, so they called upon Brooke Aitken and Samantha Hayen of Brooke Aitken Design to solve their dilemma. “We wanted to keep the beach house feel but have a separate family room and a master bedroom with ensuite,” says Ian. “It was important the new space was bigger and brighter, but not too big so the family could stay connected.”

Leaving the four bedrooms at the front of the house, the back of the property was the main construction site, with a new living, dining, kitchen, main bathroom, master bedroom with ensuite, family room and laundry created. Significant landscaping works were also undertaken, with a new driveway and barbecue area installed as well as the placement of vegetable boxes in the front garden, which were a must-have for Ian and Sally. Constructed from cedar wood, the ancient Japanese technique Shou Sugi Ban was utilised, which preserves wood through the process of charring. “We wanted to keep the cottage feel of the house, but also incorporate some Japanese design ideals like the genkan porch area with lockers for shoes, hooks for beach towels and a Zen rock garden,” says Ian. Serving as the favourite space of the home, the genkan porch — a traditional Japanese entryway — is drenched in light as the sun rises, making it the ideal place to catch some early morning rays.

Investing in quality joinery was a smart decision, with the results speaking for themselves. Birch plywood with a signature grain is present throughout the living and kitchen spaces, which serves as a contrast against the curved blackbutt timber wrapped around the kitchen island. Storage is integrated in a clever way, with the blackbutt housing a nook that doubles as a design feature. Flowing onto the living and dining area, the space is very much open, providing plenty of room for the family to coexist comfortably. “We enjoy the relaxed, open-plan living because we can all be together while we prepare meals and come and go,” says Ian. “Now we have enough space so everyone can sit down at the same time. It’s also great that we can eat from our vegetable boxes, which are brimming with lettuce, rocket, rhubarb, artichokes and herbs.”

Making the most of the narrow block was key to this renovation, with the couple seeking to create more space without significantly boosting the size of the home. Working closely with their architect, Ian and Sally were able to establish what they loved about their home and move forward with a new design that aligned with their vision, gladly admitting they wouldn’t do anything differently given the chance. By selecting the right materials, this Manly project is proof you don’t have to go big or go home — you just have to think big … Now that’s an idea.

Written by Annabelle Cloros
Photography by Gene Ross

The post Grand Designs Australia: A place to call home appeared first on Completehome.

See how a tiny three-bedroom fibro cottage becomes a stunning timber-rich, Art Deco haven.

Before

Anita and Colin Bainbridge embarked on an exploration of the Victorian countryside several years ago in search of a holiday home that could transition into a permanent residence down the track. It was a rare getaway from their business, Bainbridge Fine Furniture, where their work and passion is crafting bespoke Art Deco furniture and fitting out complete interiors, inspired by the techniques, materials and finishes of acclaimed French Art Deco designer, the late Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann.

The couple’s wish list for their ideal spot included close proximity to Melbourne via an established highway, good walking, and the cosmopolitan lifestyle essentials of great food, coffee and shopping.

Noticing a For Sale sign that had fallen over outside an unassuming quintessential country shack in Hepburn Springs uncovered a true gem. The property had been built by the previous owner in the early ‘70s and the Bainbridges immediately recognised its structural soundness and iconic form. But rather than rush into renovating directly after purchasing, Colin and Anita spent many weekends visiting what was then a tiny three-bedroom fibro cottage in the company of friends.

“We made a point of doing something different in the area each time — a new walk, trying a different restaurant, checking out little townships nearby, and instead of TV it was board games and the radio around the fireplace,” Anita recalls fondly.

With a clear floorplan in mind, the couple commissioned a local draftsperson, Wayne Quinn, to draw up their plans and to ensure compliancy with local building regulations associated with the region’s natural spa waters and building for bushfire protection. Additional advice from architect Keith Collins helped refine the orientation of spaces to capitalise on tree-top views.

Buying a pre-existing residence rather than land for a new build proved a wise decision. Thankfully the house was already connected to a sewer, saving the need to install a private treatment system. There were also existing connections to electricity, natural gas and telephone — which can’t always be assumed.

Local builder Jamie Rae was commissioned to strip the external cladding and interior, to enclose a former verandah and to add four metres to the rear. This increased the available floor space by 50 per cent, allowing reconfiguration of the bedrooms, centralisation of the main bathroom and the addition of a powder room, while still maintaining a compact footprint. Bathroom and bedroom amenities are to the right side of the home while to the left, an open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining space flows seamlessly from the front door through to rear decking.

Taking on the project from lock-up stage as “one large blank canvas” presented an opportunity for the creative pair to indulge in their many ideas and favourite materials. Bainbridge Fine Furniture is sought out as one of only three companies in the world recognised as having mastered the exacting standards of Ruhlmann’s craftsmanship. Making the artisan’s work so special is the fact that “it cannot be made for mass consumption on a factory floor — every piece has to be made individually and assembled, then taken apart for polishing and put back together perfectly,” Anita explained. Materials used were the most expensive and often included metal work, glass, marble and curves.

“We felt the moderne-style interior was a fitting complement to the box-shaped exterior of the home, which has references to revered modernist architect, Le Corbusier, known for his cube-shaped house designs and their simple open- plan living spaces,” said Colin.

Cement composite material, James Hardie Scyon, was chosen as the exterior cladding given its heavy-duty performance yet light weight and easy application to the stud frame. Painted white, the Scyon is set against contrasting black shadowline detailing that functionally absorbs movement without the cracking that occurs in some exterior products. There was the additional agenda of forging visual linkage to the shadowlines surrounding the stained and polished American walnut-clad interior walls. “This is because joins are unavoidable — shadowlines are a way of creating definition or a particular pattern when you’re working with panelled cladding materials,” Colin said.

Finishes are of the highest quality, with every possible gap in the entire five-star energy-rated house caulked to reduce draughts, dust and to simply add finesse. All cabinet hinges, handles and sealing systems are German brand Hafele, there’s edging detail inside cupboards and beautiful Italian Travertine lines both floor and full walls in the bathroom and powder room. Likening the interior to that of a jewellery box, Anita said, “There’s the idea that you walk inside, close the front door and become immersed in another world.”

Timber wardrobes, beds, kitchen, lounge and bathroom joinery have been custom designed, pre-made and finished off-site at the Bainbridge workshop in Melbourne. Much is wall hung, as if floating — designed to look like an elegant piece of furniture but with consideration to the practicality of cleaning.

The pyramid-shaped surface of the kitchen cabinet faces in two-pack black paint finish is one example of the way the Bainbridges explore opportunities to experiment with dimension, shape, texture and materials. “It’s a unique design detail that pulls together traditional and modern, adding visual interest while still being timeless,” said Anita. Another is the use of exotic hand-woven wallpapers from New York applied as a splashback behind toughened clear glass, the finish to a hallway screen and as feature walls in the individually styled bedrooms. Its use harks back to the oriental influence evident in Art Deco work. Each bedhead is made from upholstered fabric wall panels detailed with Art Deco-style walnut timber square inlays. Colin’s penchant for crafting solid-timber doors of showstopper quality is evident here. Each door is fully sealed, completely airtight and soundproof — a product that’s seen strong demand to improve acoustics and add character in apartments.

The furniture is at one with the Art Deco surrounds. The Tusk hallway table is a classic from the Bainbridge collection, while the dining table was designed specifically for the space and can cleverly fold to half-width size for space efficiency. Black dining chairs are indoor/outdoor Stark Master from Kartell and bring a lovely sculptural contrast to the timber without impeding views.

The fitout has involved 52 weekends of intensive labor, personally undertaken by Anita and Colin, the equivalent of a six-month commercial job from inception to handover. Other opportunities that have ensued from their vision to undertake such a unique fitout include the ability to showcase their work to clients, and to allow like-minded Art Deco aficionados to enjoy the experience as an exclusive holiday rental. Aptly dubbing the home Harmony at Hepburn, the Bainbridges say “it’s a true haven — a place where we can unwind and de-stress and enjoy time out with family and friends”.

This project was designed by…

Anita and Colin Bainbridge, in consultation with Architect Keith Collins 

Interior design by…

Bainbridge Fine Furniture
bainbridgefurniture.com.au

Project plans drawn by…

W.A.Q Drafting & Building Maintenance
(03) 5348 2992

This project was built by…

Builder: J.L & H.M Rae Pty Ltd
0408 386 093
License number: DB-U 32912

FLOORING
Throughout: American rough sawn oak with a wax finish

WALLS
All interior areas (except bathrooms) Polished American walnut-hung panels with shadowlines and black oak inset skirting boards
Feature walls Covered in panels of Weitzner wallpaper
Stair exterior Staircase laser-cut steel
Outdoor walls Scyon board by James Hardy
Room screen Supported on nickel legs with a black oak frame that holds Weitzner wallpaper panels from America
Fireplace wall-to-floor panel Limestone

KITCHEN
Benchtop Black granite
Splashback Weitzner wallpaper behind toughened glass
Cabinetry Custom-designed wall-hung units with raised pyramid door fronts. Timber is finished in two-pack black paint, with a separate section in Sycamore

APPLIANCES
Under-bench oven Blanco
Induction cooktop Westinghouse
Dishwasher Single-drawer integrated Fisher & Paykel
Fridge Fully integrated Liebherr

BATHROOM/POWDER ROOM FITTINGS
Cabinetry Wall-hung unit in White Diamond Abet Laminati
Basin Ideal Standard from Reece
Tiles/walls and floor Italian travertine
Walls powder room Black-stained oak side walls
Sanitary fixtures Wall-hung toilets with concealed cistern
Taps Ideal Standard from Reece
Shower Fully tiled wet room with a Rainhead showerhead and hand-held showerhead from Reece
Hinges Häfele
Towel rail To match from Reece

LIGHTING
Sconce wall lights and light boxes in coloured textured stainless steel
Hallway LED downlights

WINDOWS + EXTERNAL DOORS
Double-glazed toughened glass in aluminium frames made to order by Austral, as were the front and back sliding doors

OUTDOOR
Roof New roof was installed in corrugated iron
Paving Supplied by Ashstone Technology
Decking Merbau stained black
Cladding James Hardie Scyon
Landscaping Large boulders, rocks and river pebbles from Central Highlands Garden Supplies
More than 200 tubes from Gold Fields Revegetation Management Supplies in Bendigo were planted by Bainbridge
Screening Metal balustrade by Morgana and Sons
Furniture By Bainbridge except the dining chairs, which are Philippe Starck Masters chairs
Accessories Cushions, throws and rugs were made by Anita’s suppliers and paintings, ornaments and sculptures were acquired or made by Anita Bainbridge 

By Marg Hearn
Photography by Tim Loft
From Renovate magazine Vol. 8 No. 4

The post REAL HOME: Country shack turned Art Deco haven appeared first on Completehome.